MJ

Elijah Rhea Johnson is a multi-hyphenate creative hailing from Detroit, MI. At 9 years old he starred as Young Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King,” Las Vegas/National Touring productions. His credits also include being a lead performer in the popular children’s group “Kidz Bop,” & joining the R&B boy-band “Mindless Behavior” as lead singer. This is a full circle moment for the young actor, as he participated in the MJworkshops as Middle Michael. Elijah is honored to be making his Broadway debut as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Apollo hails from Abbeville, LA by way of South Bend, IN. Theater: Sister Act, Dreamgirls, Ragtime, and originated the role of Chinese Superhero The Monkey King in Beijing, China. Television: “Let’s Stay Together,” “Criminal Minds.” Experiencing the iconic videos for “Scream” and “Remember the Time”, Apollo was captivated by the artistry of “The King of Pop.” Former lead singer of rock band SteppHeavy, Apollo is excited to be made his Broadway debut with MJ.

Broadway: The Bridges of Madison County (Marian/Chiara, OBC. Clarence Derwent Award). Off-Broadway: The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Ordinary Days, The Fantasticks. Regional: The Bridges of Madison County (WTF), Merrily We Roll Along (Wallis Annenberg; Ovation Award Nominee), Fly By Night (Dallas Theatre Center), Light in the Piazza (PTC; Barrymore Award Winner). TV: Manifest, FBI: Most Wanted, Law & Order: SVU, Boardwalk Empire, All My Children. BFA: University of Michigan. Thank you Mom, Dad, and my incredible husband, Jared. Baby girl Luna, this is all for you.

Tavon is ecstatic to be making his Broadway debut in MJ. Credits include, Regional: Scottsboro Boys (Beck Center for the Arts), I Sing the Rising Sea (Virginia Stage Company). Thank you to God, Family, GSA, BW and CGF! Hit me up on

Eric is a precocious student at the Academy of Scholars in Decatur, GA. At only 8 years old, Eric’s talents have been featured in leading roles with the Stepp Stewart Talent Camp Spotlight Program and in the play A Soulful Christmas. Aspiring to fulfill the goal of a professional performer on every level, this is an incredible way to begin his journey.

Austin is a Las Vegas native and devout Christian who reverences God and loves his family/friends. Prior to making his Little Michael Broadway debut, Austin was the worship leader at Bondage Free Worship Center & cast member of Broadway in the H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Open Doors). He thanks his parents, Anthony and Evelyn, for loving and supporting him unconditionally.

Ayana is excited to be making her Broadway Debut in MJ. An accomplished Singer/Songwriter, Ayana has performed alongside names such as John Legend, Jazmine Sullivan, Chaka Khan, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Rowland, Kirk Franklin, and CeCe Winan, to name a few. Ayana recently went viral on social media with her riveting rendition of the Chaka Khan classic “Through The Fire”, as well as a heart-wrenching performance of J. Cole’s “Be Free”.

Broadway debut! Ilario started his career in the arts at a young age in Atlanta, GA. In 2020, he was hand picked for the R&B boy band Afterours by Natarsha Garcia, with AGI Entertainment! Film Credits: Praise This as Jermaine (NBC Universal). He thanks God for everything and is very blessed for opportunity!

Broadway debut! Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Sage was recently seen in Hairspray the national tour (Gilbert), the Muny: Rent and Chess. Sage gives all honor to God and the loved ones that helped make this possible! Take that risk and follow your dreams!

DeAundre’ Woods (Standby MJ, Michael) is so excited to be making his Broadway debut in MJ! Thank you to my family, friends & agents at Gray Talent for your continued support. To God be the glory! IG: dre_woods Other credits include: Alexander Hamilton (And Peggy National Tour), Aaron Burr (Asian International Tour).

MATTE MARTINEZ is a multi-talented artist, known for singing, dancing, and acting. He’s making his BROADWAY DEBUT here at MJ the Musical and couldn’t be more excited! Matte started performing on tour all across the country at age 10 with the world famous kids group Kidz Bop. He co-wrote a song for “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” Season 4 and is currently creating and starring in a new musical he created the story and music for with his writing partner. He’s also appeared on TV shows such as “The Good Doctor” and “Saturdays” on Disney Channel.

Broadway: the Tony Award-winning Girl From the North Country. Regional: The Color Purple at Broadway Sacramento. Major thanks to my wife Dajah and daughter Ava, CGF, my family and friends! All glory to my beautiful savior Jesus Christ! John 3:16!

Broadway debut. New York: Blood and Gifts (Lincoln Center). Chicago: Steppenwolf, Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Writers’ Theatre, Court Theatre, Northlight Theatre, and more. Film/TV: Christmas Again (Disney), “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago PD” (NBC), “Boss” (Starz). Thanks to the whole MJ family for inviting me to the ride of my life!

Antoine is an Emmy Award Winner and is excited to be bringing MJ to Broadway. Other Broadway Credits include The Tony and Grammy Award-Winning The Color Purple (Revival); Carousel; Miss Saigon; Memphis; and the First Broadway National Tour of Cinderella.

Joey was last seen on Broadway as “Rudy The Voice” in A Bronx Tale – The Musical. Twenty-year career on Broadway also includes: Nice Work If You Can Get It, How To Succeed in Business, The Drowsy Chaperone, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and the 2001 revival of Follies. Off-Broadway: Help (The Shed), Carmelina (York Theatre), Saturday Night (Second Stage), Summer of ’42 (Variety Arts). National Tour: Lord Evelyn in Anything Goes, The Fonz in Happy Days -The Musical, and Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Regional: Trip To Bountiful (Actor’s Ensemble); Boeing, Boeing (Gulfshore); Crazy For You (Sharon); Lend Me A Tenor (Westchester Bway); White Christmas; Singin’ In The Rain; Nice Work If You Can Get It (Ogunquit); Victor, Victoria (TUTS); When You Wish (Phoenix Theatre); Animal Crackers (Williamstown). TV: “FBI: Most Wanted,” “The Deuce,” “The Good Fight,” “Younger,” “Elementary,” “Deception,” “Person of Interest,” “The Path.” Film: Conditional, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Providence, and Audrey.

At 10, “J.R. The Star” makes his Broadway debut as a mesmerizing actor, singer, and dancer. A breakout sensation on stages across the U.S., in his viral dance video to Beyoncé’s “Stronger,” voiceovers, and starring in the 2024 movie Stronger. Julius-Raymond is gifted! He’s grateful to God, his parents Geneviève Nixon-Weems and Julius Weems III, family, coaches, and DDO Agency.

Broadway Debut! National Tours: Hamilton (Principal Standby) at the And Peggy Tour, Eliza Tour, and Angelica Tour. Regional: Hair (Hud) Two River Theater, Rent (Benny) the Muny. Special thanks to my family, friends, Hybrid Agency, and my fiancée Kayla!

All glory to God! Making his Broadway debut. Last seen in Disney’s Haunted Mansion and Hamilton. Special thanks to my mom, Noel, Margo, Duane, Leslie, Peter (Telsey Office), George Faison and my wonderful family and friends. Eph. 6:10

Skye is a young NYC-born artist with credits including Missy Elliott, Apple, Swarovski, Footlocker, and more. Skye has worked with the Broadway and touring companies of the show and is excited to continue her MJ journey! She thanks her family, friends, and agents at CTG!

Broadway debut! Off-Broadway: Sleep No More, Freddie Falls in Love. Regional: ALIEN/NATION (WTF). Film: Dicks: The Musical (A24). Commercial: JLo, Snoop Dogg, H.E.R., Rothy’s. BFA Dance, MMC. Love and gratitude to my family, friends, Bloc NYC, and the entire MJ team!

Off-Broadway: Titanique. Regional: The Color Purple, Five Guys Named Moe, Kill Move Paradise. A special thank you to my amazing mother. To my tribe, I am nothing without you. Thank you for lifting me.

New Jersey native, Yogi, BFA in Dance: University of the Arts. Broadway: MJ the Musical. National tours: MJ (DC/Fight cap), Chicago, Mamma Mia!, Beauty and the Beast. Love to my family, The Price Group, and MJ creatives.

Dasia is making her Broadway debut! A current Dance major and MT minor at UNCG. Endless gratitude to God, my family, and my agency Daniel Hoff Agency!

Cleveland native, an alum of UNCSA. Has danced with Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance, AAADT and Met Opera’s La Traviata. Following the international tour of An American in Paris, this is his Broadway debut.

Broadway Debut! Recently in Barlow & Bear’s Unofficial Bridgerton Musical in Concert (The Kennedy Center). Grateful to the Creator, Mom, Dad, Maddie, Charlotte, The University of Michigan (‘23), The LINK Program, Buchwald, and my tribe.

Zachary Downer is thrilled to be joining the MJ company! Broadway: Hello, Dolly! revival; Cats revival (Mr. Mistoffelees). Off-Broadway: Alice By Heart. Tours: Hugh Jackman’s World Tour (TMTMTS). Television: Netflix’s “Halston,” 43rd Kennedy Center Honors, NBC’s Annie Live!, Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Big City Adventure. Love to LakeyWolff&Co and family

Actor/Singer/Dancer/Songwriter. Last seen in NYC revival of Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Chita Award winner, Lucille Lortel nominee). Broadway and 1st National Tour of Jersey Boys (Hal Miller/Barry Belson/others). National/International tour of Hairspray (Seaweed J. Stubbs) and In the Heights at The Kennedy Center (Domingo). And more

Broadway/NYC: Frozen (ensemble/OBC), Wicked (ensemble) and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Rockette). National Tour: Wicked. Big love and gratitude to DZ, LDC, and her ever-supportive family.

is excited to be making his Broadway debut! Tour: Hairspray. Regional: Mamma Mia!, A Christmas Carol. Michael would like to thank his mother, Celeste, for her support. With God, all things are possible.

Thrilled to be a part of the MJ family. Broadway: The Book of Mormon.National Tours: The Book of Mormon, Mamma Mia. Film/Television: Clifford the Big Red Dog, “The Equalizer,” “The Blacklist,” “The Americans.” Love to Darren and Gretta.

NYLA SOSTRE (Standby Rachel and Katherine) is thrilled to be back on Broadway in a beautiful homage to Michael Jackson. A proud Brooklyn native, Nyla discovered her passion for performing while busking on the MTA platforms of NYC. She holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from The City University of New York. Her recent credits include Shucked (Ensemble, Lulu u/s, Broadway), Rent (Mimi Marquez, Portland Center Stage), and Hamilton (Peggy Schuyler, National Tour). Nyla extends her deepest gratitude to her mom, Diana Sostre, for her unwavering support.

Chelsea is ecstatic to be making her Broadway debut with MJ the Musical! BFA: Point Park University. National Tour: MJ the Musical (Nicholas Brother), Cats (Bombalurina), Mean Girls (Swing). Regional: SOUL: The Stax Musical (Ensemble). Chelsea is immensely grateful to God, her husband, family and The Mine agency for their love and support. (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalms 37: 4-5)

Grateful is an understatement. Broadway: Once Upon a One More Time, Carousel, Newsies, Matilda, West Side Story, Billy Elliot. Off-Bway/Tour: Only Gold, An American In Paris. Film/Television: Maestro, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, “Fosse/Verdon,” Ted 2.

Broadway debut! Credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (national tour), On Your Feet! (The Muny), Chicago (national tour). Regional: A Chorus Line (Cape), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (ARLT). Dance Lab NY. All my love and gratitude to God, Mom and Dad, “The Queens”, and CTG!

Ryan is honored to be sharing the MJ stage with some of the most talented and gracious humans he’s ever met. You may have caught him in the television series Fosse/Verdon on FX, and he also can be seen dancing in the Coen Brother’s farce Hail, Caesar! On stage Ryan has performed in the most recent Broadway revival of Annie, Something Rotten! (OBC), Bandstand (OBC), and in the Chicago company of Hamilton. Other stage work has found Ryan performing with the physical comedy troupe Parallel Exit, and in the immersive theatre show Acoustica Electronica. Ryan has been featured as a soloist with multiple symphony orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony and Pittsburgh Symphony. Special thanks to our producers and Lia Vollack for their vision and guidance in bringing this group together and this show to fruition.